Baier released from PTO; Leach returns for Devils

ALBANY — The Albany Devils announced tonight that defenseman Eric Baier had been released from his professional tryout contract and returned to ECHL Trenton.

Baier’s departure likely was caused by the return of defenseman Jay Leach, who is in the lineup tonight for the first time since Dec. 16. Leach has played only 15 games this season because of a lower-body injury.

The Devils are facing the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Times Union Center. Albany scratched forward Vladimir Zharkov and are playing with seven defensemen.